Curral das Freiras
A village nestled in the heart of a deep valley, surrounded by impressive volcanic mountains.
Its unique location, in a valley that resembles a volcano crater, gives the parish of Curral das Freiras a unique character, which makes it one of the most picturesque locations on the island of Madeira. The village's surroundings are marked by the imposing presence of the mountain peaks that protect it, creating a natural setting of great beauty.
With an area of 25.07 km² and a population of around 2000 inhabitants, Curral das Freiras is the largest parish in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos. Its history goes back several centuries, and it is necessary to go back to the 16th century to understand the origin of its name.
The locality was named after the nuns of the Convent of Santa Clara, who found here an ideal refuge to hide during the pirates' attacks on Funchal, in 1566. Curral das Freiras is one of the few places on the island that, hidden among the mountains, it is not visible from the sea.
Visitors to Curral das Freiras have the opportunity to discover points of interest such as the Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, built in the 19th century, and the Miradouro da Eira do Serrado, located at an altitude of 1095 meters. In addition, it is important to taste the local delicacies, where chestnut is one of the main ingredients, offering a characteristic flavor of the region.